Which Apple Product Would Best Suit Me?

[K]

You may be looking at a windows system if you purchase new.

You can also use external dvid/cd drive on a new system which would allow you to purchase a new MBP. Just beef up the MBP in my opinion...anything that will increase processing of data from and to and external dvd/cd.

I'll need to research the last MBP 15" with a drive but I think at the moment it was 2012. I'll post back.

The Mid 2012 without retina display is the last MBP 15" with a cd/dvd drive. See link and near the bottom of the specs. Also if you purchased used, you may want to check what apps are supposed to be on the system. Don't forget about OS and any possible booting options you may want AND you will need the ADMIN password with which the system was setup.